Teen who lost hand and foot to shark attack returns to school

by · Mail Online

The Alabama teenager who tragically lost her left hand and right leg in a June shark attack is celebrating the start of the school year after her months-long recovery.

Lulu Gribbin, 15, was one of the victims of a gruesome Florida bull shark attack that changed her life forever. 

After spending 77 days recovering in the hospital, Lulu was finally able to return home to her family. On Friday, Lulu joined her classmates for another school year. 

Lulu's mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, has been sharing her daughter's journey on CaringBridge, where she excitedly announced an important milestone in her daughter's journey. 

She wrote: 'Today is a huge step in this journey. Today Lulu went to school for the first time.

Lulu and Ellie Gribbin, both 15, posed for Lulu's first day of school after recovering from a shark attack that left her without her left hand and right leg 
Lulu posed with her sister and friend for her outside of her high school

'Our school system in Mountain Brook has been so amazing and so accommodating navigating how we make sure Lulu stays up to date with school. We have had an awesome homebound teacher who has come in a couple of times of week to talk with Lulu and see if she has questions or concerns.'

Lulu and her mother have planned for her most difficult classes to be in the morning and she will be taking a few classes online until her stamina increases. 

In the heartwarming life update, Ann also praised Lulu's twin sister Ellie for her unwavering support during the difficult times.

Ann said that when she went to wake up Lulu for the big day, she was already getting ready with Ellie, who was helping her get dressed and doing her hair.

Lulu wrote in her notebook, jumping right back into the swing of things after retuning to school on Friday 
Lulu was greeted by friends and family with a purple parade when she returned home from her 77-day hospital stint 

This long awaited moment of relief comes after months of pain and suffering. 

Seven weeks after the shark attack, Ann reflected on the moment on CaringBridge, calling it something she 'never could have imagined in her wildest dreams.'

But throughout the difficult recovery process, Lulu stayed string and determined.

Her mother wrote in July: 'Lulu's physical strength and grit will get her thru rehab and she will be able to walk again, and she will be able to use her hand. Her hand and her leg will not define her. 

Lulu waved to parade attendees on the back of a gold cart when she returned home 
Lulu smiled while doing physical therapy in the hospital 

'What is defining Lulu is her attitude, her compassion, her determination, and her grace. I could not be prouder of who she is!'

Lulu came home from her hospital stay at both Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola and at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 25.

She was greeted by a parade of loved ones as she showed off her prosthetics.

Lulu's recovery was difficult, but her mother documented how she kept a positive attitude throughout 

All attendees were decked out in her favorite color, purple, and she rode on the back of a golf cart while gladly waving at everyone who came. 

In her most recent post about Lulu returning to school, Ann also gave an update on McCray Faust, 17, who was also attacked by the shark in June. She suffered severe injuries to her foot.

McCray was able to walk again within eight weeks, and even though she might not get total feeling back in her foot, 'she goes about her day with a sweet smile on her face.'